Chapter 17: Chapter 017: Issue of Standpoint Chapter 17: Chapter 017: Issue of Standpoint The office door closed, and after Xia Zeming and Fu Xing took their seats in order of priority, their expressions turned several degrees more solemn, losing the joking banter of moments before.
“Your marriage this time has really struck a blow to Princess Therese,” Xia Zeming said with a sly smile, pouring himself a glass of wine. After asking Fu Xing and being refused, he took a sip for himself.
“Princess Therese has always considered you the perfect match for a political marriage. By marrying you, she would have secured the support of both the Fu and Xia Families, which would greatly increase her chances in the contest for the Imperial Throne. Now, a woman has come along and stolen the fruit that was meant for her.”
“Uncle Xia, please watch your language,” Fu Xing said, habitually resting his cheek on one hand, somewhat helpless at Xia Zeming’s disrespect for his age. “I am no one’s prize to be won.”
Both the Xia and Fu Families, as two of the Seven Guardian Dukes of the Empire, held vast and resource-rich territories in the Mozambique Star System. The families had been closely allied since their ancestors’ times, always moving together politically.
Now, as the Emperor’s health deteriorated, the rivalry between the Princess and the two Princes for the Imperial Throne had begun, and everyone was faced with the necessity of taking sides.
“People genuinely like you.”
However, Fu Xing’s expression was cold, and a trace of cruelty flickered in his eyes, “Politics has never been about personal feelings.”
“So you won’t support Princess Therese? She is the second in line to the throne, a once-in-a-century genius, and has many supporters.”
“Uncle Xia, you know our family principle.”
“Support the legitimate heir? Of course, that’s just it. So, you’re still supporting Therese. Why then did you suddenly marry a woman from out of nowhere? If you didn’t like her, just say so, why humiliate her?”
“Do you really think I would be so lacking in grace?”
“Hehehe…” Xia Zeming chuckled mischievously, showing disrespect for his age, “I just placed you at the top of the most-hated list at school! I haven’t gotten out of character yet, so I’m assuming the worst about you.”
Fu Xing felt both annoyed and amused.
“So why did you suddenly get married? To someone whose name you can’t even invoke? I am closer to you than your real uncle, your father’s best friend, and even I didn’t know. You still say it’s nothing.”
Xia Zeming had hurried to meet Fu Xing as soon as he heard of his return.
“It was the Purple Wish Token.”
“What?” As he was drinking, Xia Zeming spluttered his drink towards Fu Xing, who seemed to anticipate the action, deftly diverted it with a flick of his fingers, an invisible wave of spiritual power sweeping the liquid precisely into the trash bin.
“It’s actually the Purple Wish Token, the Purple Wish Token, the Purple…” Xia Zeming paced excitedly back and forth, repeatedly questioning: “Are you sure? It’s purple?”
“I am certain; the wish token was delivered to me a month ago.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it were black or white, but purple…”
The Fu Family’s Family Token had always been one of the oldest legends in interstellar history, surrounded by a myriad of public speculations. It was even adapted into novels and films, always steeped in a legendary aura.
But for the Great Nobles, it was no secret; after all, everyone knew each other’s family affairs.
The real Fu Family Bookmarks were of three types: white, black, and purple.
The white was the Doomed Token, also known as the Funeral Token.